Is there a product for the exterior of the house like ballistic siding? Are there ballistic windows? What if I wanted to build something like a micro camper bike trailer, would it be too heavy to tow behind and e-bike? Also, would you be able to use it to reinforce something like a skateboard? I've been wanting to get something like that for my nephew that he can strap to the back of his backpack at school to use in case of an event and still be able to use it as transport.
i would have appreciated a bit more insight onto the differences between kevlar and fiberglass. Why are fiberglass panels industry standard for construction vs kevlar panels?
Hey Mikey, Good question. Kevlar is more expensive and comes in less protection levels. It's main advantage is that it is light and flexible. That is helpful for a mobile situation, such as using it for body armor. Ballistic fiberglass is heavier and much less flexible. But in a wall, the material is not moving, so neither of those downsides are relevant factors. Therefore, the much cheaper cost of ballistic fiberglass (it can be 70% less) makes it a preferable option for walls. Also, arguably, the ballistic panels may be more forced entry resistant because they do not allow for as much flex. To be fair though, Kevlar is a little easier to install, since it is lighter and you are not needing to work with fiberglass. But the installation of the ballistic fiberglass panels are pretty easy too, so it still is almost always the selected material.
@FortifiedEstate thanks for the quick response! I am an architect in Boston and currently specifying some ballistics panels for a project. Client keeps referring to Kevlar, but the industry seems to be biased toward the fiberglass.
Hey @@mikeydmalden, sure thing. Yes, it is relatively common that people will speak in terms of Kevlar. That is a popular brand name (from Dupont). The technical term would be para-aramid. Just like para-aramid doesn't roll off the tongue so well, neither does ballistic fiberglass. That, plus DuPont's years of marketing, plus familiarity from body armor, is probably why Kevlar is often used in the way that Kleenex is used instead of tissues.
Yes, a bedroom is a popular place to convert into a secure room. You can certainly armor the walls with this type of material. We don't usually cover up windows with this material, but it could be possible with careful consideration of securing the weight of the panel properly. Usually we create new, high security windows, but that is a lot more expensive than covering up something with panels.
Is there a product for the exterior of the house like ballistic siding? Are there ballistic windows? What if I wanted to build something like a micro camper bike trailer, would it be too heavy to tow behind and e-bike? Also, would you be able to use it to reinforce something like a skateboard? I've been wanting to get something like that for my nephew that he can strap to the back of his backpack at school to use in case of an event and still be able to use it as transport.
Can it be use on boat
i would have appreciated a bit more insight onto the differences between kevlar and fiberglass. Why are fiberglass panels industry standard for construction vs kevlar panels?
Hey Mikey,
Good question. Kevlar is more expensive and comes in less protection levels. It's main advantage is that it is light and flexible. That is helpful for a mobile situation, such as using it for body armor.
Ballistic fiberglass is heavier and much less flexible. But in a wall, the material is not moving, so neither of those downsides are relevant factors. Therefore, the much cheaper cost of ballistic fiberglass (it can be 70% less) makes it a preferable option for walls. Also, arguably, the ballistic panels may be more forced entry resistant because they do not allow for as much flex.
To be fair though, Kevlar is a little easier to install, since it is lighter and you are not needing to work with fiberglass. But the installation of the ballistic fiberglass panels are pretty easy too, so it still is almost always the selected material.
@FortifiedEstate thanks for the quick response! I am an architect in Boston and currently specifying some ballistics panels for a project. Client keeps referring to Kevlar, but the industry seems to be biased toward the fiberglass.
Hey @@mikeydmalden, sure thing. Yes, it is relatively common that people will speak in terms of Kevlar. That is a popular brand name (from Dupont). The technical term would be para-aramid. Just like para-aramid doesn't roll off the tongue so well, neither does ballistic fiberglass. That, plus DuPont's years of marketing, plus familiarity from body armor, is probably why Kevlar is often used in the way that Kleenex is used instead of tissues.
Can I use this on the wall and windows for a bedroom?
Yes, a bedroom is a popular place to convert into a secure room. You can certainly armor the walls with this type of material.
We don't usually cover up windows with this material, but it could be possible with careful consideration of securing the weight of the panel properly. Usually we create new, high security windows, but that is a lot more expensive than covering up something with panels.